How to Get Young Professionals to Volunteer

Half of Americans are under age 30 and millennials have become the largest share of the U.S. workforce.

millennial noun [mil-len-ee-uh l] A person born in the 1980s or 1990s, especially in the U.S.; a member of Generation Y

Young professionals (aka Millennials) are the future of member-based organizations. In order to survive, chambers must learn to reach young professionals and adapt to their culture.

Myth: Millennials are not willing to join or take an active role in a chamber. Fact: They’re willing, but participation needs to be a win-win; it must benefit others as well as benefit them personally.

Millennials volunteer at the highest rate of any generation, and getting them involved is easier than you think. A recent survey showed that that 47% of Millennials had volunteered in the past month.

“I would volunteer a lot more if it meant I was able to connect with higher up members in the organization. Often though, you don’t meet anyone except the volunteer coordinator.” - survey respondent, The Millennial Impact Project.

When Millennials were asked why they volunteer in a chamber, these were the top two replies:

61% to gain professional expertise 51% for networking

When asked why they don’t volunteer in a chamber?

45% said they simply weren’t asked to volunteer

Engaging with Millennials is important because they are energizing, creative, and innovative. They delight in making positive systemic and organizational change. Which begs the question: Can you afford not to engage them?